A worship event turned chaotic this past weekend in Seattle’s Cal Anderson Park after Antifa and far-left activists clashed with attendees, leading to multiple injuries and arrests. Now, the Christian group behind the event is demanding an apology—or even resignation—from Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, who they say unjustly blamed them instead of the attackers.
Pastor Russell Johnson of Pursuit NW Church joined Ari Hoffman on Talk Radio 570 KVI to break down what he calls a “clown show” of misrepresentation by both city officials and local media.
Seattle Pastor @russellbjohnson Calls for Mayor’s Resignation After Antifa Attack at Worship Event
“Anybody with a brain, who saw the videos or was at the event, knows what went down. Everybody—except Mayor Bruce Harrell.” pic.twitter.com/BBg39O6DKU
— Ari Hoffman 🎗 (@thehoffather) May 28, 2025
According to Pastor Johnson, the event was intended as a peaceful day of community service and spiritual outreach.
“We were there on Saturday for a worship event that featured a family community day—free haircuts, face painting, grocery giveaways, free bikes,” Johnson said. “As soon as the music started, it felt like all of hell broke loose.”
Johnson says hundreds of activists descended on the event, physically assaulting attendees, throwing urine-filled balloons, and clashing with police. At least 23 people were arrested, and several officers were hospitalized. Despite the violent outbreak, Mayor Harrell’s public statement laid blame on the Christian organizers, labeling them as right-wing extremists.
A “Gaslighting” Response from City Hall
Pastor Johnson criticized Harrell’s statement as both dishonest and dangerous.
“It was clear to everyone—except Mayor Bruce Harrell—who the aggressors were,” said Johnson. “He put out a statement that night blaming the church, saying we brought it on ourselves, and that future religious events like ours would be denied permits in public parks.”
Johnson shared that his team had initially requested permits for other locations, but the city ultimately directed them to Cal Anderson Park.
“They said no to two other spots and suggested Cal Anderson,” he explained. “And now the mayor is trying to claim we went there to provoke. It’s gaslighting at the highest level.”
A Growing Coalition of Support
Johnson says the backlash against Harrell’s response has sparked support from across political and religious lines.
“Half the people messaging me say, ‘Pastor, I’m not a Christian and not a conservative, but this is beyond the pale.’ That says something,” he said. “Harrell has galvanized a broader movement in Seattle—people who are just fed up with the political establishment coddling violent agitators.”
He compared the current political climate to the deadly 2020 Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone, where Antifa and BLM activists were allowed to occupy 6 blocks of Seattle by city officials.
“Anybody with a brain, who saw the videos or was at the event, knows what went down,” Johnson asserted. “Everybody—except Mayor Bruce Harrell.”
Media Coverage Under Fire
The Seattle Times also came under heavy criticism from Johnson, who accused the newspaper of bias after it ran what he described as a slanted, defamatory headline.
“They called it ‘fascist family values’ on the front page, then had the audacity to reach out to me for comment,” said Johnson. “I’d talk to The Stranger blog before I’d talk to the Seattle Times again. They’ve lost all credibility.”
He mocked the paper for attempting damage control and suggested their journalists “learn how to code,” calling the publication a “sinking ship.”
A Constitutional Concern
Johnson emphasized that the larger issue at hand is about Americans’ constitutional rights.
“This isn’t about Christianity or conservatism,” he said. “It’s about our First Amendment rights—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom of religion. Those belong to all Americans.”
He rejected the notion that the group should have chosen a less controversial location to avoid violence.
“The idea that people on the right have to tiptoe around violent leftists just to avoid being attacked? That’s not America,” said Johnson. “We shouldn’t have to choose event locations based on who might assault us.”
Rally at City Hall
In response to the controversy, Johnson helped organize a rally Tuesday afternoon outside Seattle City Hall calling for Mayor Harrell’s resignation or a public apology. “He messed with the wrong church and the wrong pastor,” Johnson said. “This moment has become bigger than just us. The people of Seattle are waking up.”
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